The Great Gatsby

by F. Scott Fitzgerald, adapted by Simon Levy

Directed by Vanessa Brooke Agnes

DESCRIPTION:

In this famous Jazz Age story, Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota, moves to New York in the summer of 1922. As he navigates the unfamiliar social scene, he is invited to a lavish party thrown by the mysteriously wealthy Jay Gatsby, who is trying to rekindle a relationship with Nick’s cousin, Daisy. This faithful adaptation of the novel uses theatricality to capture the lyric and poetic nature of Fitzgerald’s prose. With themes of greed, love, disillusionment, and inequality, this Great American Classic feels both mythic and familiar in a new century.

PERFORMANCE DATES:

Runs Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays September 11 through October 4, plus a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on September 21. Cast and crew are required to participate in strike immediately following the final performance.

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will begin on or around August 3rd, and generally run Monday-Wednesday evenings and either Saturday or Sunday depending on cast availability. Whenever possible actors will be scheduled on an as needed basis.

AUDITION DATES:

July 6 & 7, 7:00-9:00pm. Doors open at 6:30p. Callbacks on July 8, at 7:00pm, if needed.

AUDITION FORMAT:

Please prepare a one-minute dramatic or comedic contemporary monologue of your choice (memorization encouraged, but not required). A few monologue choices are available if you don't already have one.

The Saxman should be a musician comfortable with jazz improvisation. Please bring your instrument to the audition and prepare to play a short excerpt. The director is flexible on which instrument.

Additional monologue options: https://www.theatreintheround.org/home/get-involved/auditions/

Please note that all roles at Theatre in the Round are volunteer; however, as of the 2024-2025 season all actors will be offered a $100 honorarium and be provided a new professional headshot, with rights to use digitally or print.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

Except as noted, roles are open to actors of all identities – racial, ethnic, sexual, gender – and no roles assume the presence or absence of disability.

The Saxman - an African-American musician. Must be able to play saxophone, trumpet, or other jazz instrument.

Jay Gatsby - a mysterious Romantic Idealist, with a disarming smile

Daisy Buchanan - Southern, with a voice that sounds like money

Nick Carraway - Midwestern, with a kind face and gentle manner

Tom Buchanan - Daisy’s Husband, cruel and powerful

Jordan Baker - Daisy’s Friend, an athlete

Meyer Wolfshiem - a Broadway Character

Myrtle Wilson - Tom’s Girlfriend, New York, sensual

George Wilson - Myrtle’s Husband, New York, spiritless

Actor One: Chester McKee, Waiter, Soldier, Dancer, Cop

Actor Two: Lucille McKee, Dancer, Mrs. Michaelis